Monkshood
Aconitum variegatum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Ranunculales Family: Ranunculaceae Genus: Aconitum L., 1753
Species
See below Wolfsbane may refer to: Aconitum, a flowering plant and herb Wolfsbane, a British band Wolfsbane, a Marvel Comics superhero Wolfs Bane may also refer to: Arnica montana, a European flowering plant in European cities on roofs. ... Scientific classification redirects here. ... For other uses, see Plant (disambiguation). ... Classes Magnoliopsida - Dicots Liliopsida - Monocots The flowering plants or angiosperms are the most widespread group of land plants. ... Magnoliopsida is the botanical name for a class of flowering plants. ... families See text Ranunculales is an order of flowering plants. ... genera see text Ranunculaceae is the botanical name for a family of flowering plants. ... Carl Linnaeus, Latinized as Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as  , (May 13, 1707[1] – January 10, 1778), was a Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist[2] who laid the foundations for the modern scheme of nomenclature. ...

Aconitum (A-co-ní-tum), known as aconite, monkshood, or wolfsbane, is a genus of flowering plant belonging to the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). There are over 250 species of Aconitum. This article is under construction. ... For other uses, see Genus (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Plant (disambiguation). ... genera see text Ranunculaceae is the botanical name for a family of flowering plants. ... For other uses, see Species (disambiguation). ...

Overview

These herbaceous perennial plants are chiefly natives of the mountainous parts of the northern hemisphere, growing in moisture retentive but well draining soils on mountain meadows. Their dark green leaves lack stipules. They are palmate or deeply palmately lobed with 5–7 segments. Each segment again is 3-lobed with coarse sharp teeth. The leaves have a spiral or alternate arrangement. The lower leaves have long petioles. Red Valerian, a perennial plant. ... Loess field in Germany Surface-water-gley developed in glacial till, Northern Ireland For other uses, see Soil (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Green (disambiguation). ... Look up foliage in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

These are handsome plants, the tall, erect stem being crowned by racemes of large and eye-catching blue, purple, white, yellow or pink zygomorphic flowers with numerous stamens. They are distinguishable by having one of the five petaloid sepals (the posterior one), called the galea, in the form of a cylindrical helmet; hence the English name monkshood. There are 2–10 petals, in the form of nectaries. The two upper petals are large. They are placed under the hood of the calyx and are supported on long stalks. They have a hollow spur at their apex, containing the nectar. The other petals are small and scale like or non forming. The 3–5 carpels are partially fused at the base. Stem showing internode and nodes plus leaf petiole and new stem rising from node. ... This inflorescence of the terrestrial orchid Spathoglottis plicata is a typical raceme. ... This article is about the colour. ... This article is about the color. ... This article is about the color. ... This article is about the color. ... This article is about the color. ... For other uses, see Flower (disambiguation). ... Stamens of the Amaryllis with prominent anthers carrying pollen Insects, while collecting nectar, unintentionally transfer pollen from one flower to another, bringing about pollination The stamen (from Latin stamen meaning thread of the warp) is the male organ of a flower. ... Flower of the Primrose Willowherb (Ludwigia octovalvis) showing petals and sepals A sepal is one member or part of the calyx of a flower. ... It has been suggested that Corolla be merged into this article or section. ... Nectar of camellia Nectar, in botany, is a sugar-rich liquid produced by the flowers of plants in order to attract pollinating animals. ... Amaryllis style and stigmas A carpel is the outer, often visible part of the female reproductive organ of a flower; the basic unit of the gynoecium. ...

The fruit is a follicle. For other uses, see Fruit (disambiguation). ... In botany, a follicle is a dry fruit which splits along one rupture site in order to release seeds, such as in larkspur, magnolia, banksia, peony and milkweed. ...

Species

Binomial name Aconitum anthora L. Aconitum anthora, variously known as Anthora, Yellow Monkshood, or Healing Wolfsbane, is a flowering species of the genus Aconite It is widespread, mainly in European mountains, such as the Alps and the Carpathians, and the northern parts of Asia. ... Aconitum carmichaelii, called Fu Zi in Chinese, is a medicinal herb. ... Species See text Aconitum is a genus of flowering plant belonging to the buttercup family ( Ranunculaceae). ... Binomial name Aconitum napellus L. Acontium napellus (Monkshood, aconite, Wolfs Bane, Fuzi, and Monks Blood) is a species of Aconitum, native and endemic to western and central Europe. ... Binomial name Aconitum noveboracense A.Gray ex Coville Aconitum noveboracense, also known as Northern Blue Monkshood or Northern Wild Monkshood, is a flowering plant belonging to the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). ... Binomial name Aconitum septentrionale L., 1753 The Northern Wolfsbane (Aconitum septentrionale) is a species of the genus Aconitum. ...

Natural hybrids

• Aconitum × austriacum
• Aconitum × cammarum
• Aconitum × hebegynum
• Aconitum × oenipontanum (A. variegatum ssp. variegatum × ssp. paniculatum)
• Aconitum × pilosiusculum
• Aconitum × platanifolium (A. lycoctonum ssp. neapolitanum × ssp. vulparia)
• Aconitum × zahlbruckneri (A. napellus ssp. vulgare × A. variegatum ssp. variegatum)

Uses

The most common plant in this genus, Aconitum napellus (the Common Monkshood) was considered to be of therapeutic and toxicological importance. Its roots have occasionally been mistaken for horseradish. It has a short underground stem, from which dark-colored tapering roots descend. The crown or upper portion of the root gives rise to new plants. When touched to one's lip, the juice of the aconite root produces a feeling of numbness and tingling. This plant is used as a food plant by some Lepidoptera species including Dot Moth, The Engrailed, Mouse Moth, Wormwood Pug, and Yellow-tail. Binomial name P.G. Gaertn. ... Subdivisions See Taxonomy of Lepidoptera and Lepidopteran diversity. ... Binomial name Melanchra persicariae Linnaeus, 1761 The Dot Moth (Melanchra persicariae) is a moth of the family Noctuidae. ... Binomial name Ectropis crepuscularia Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775 The Engrailed (Ectropis crepuscularia) is a moth of the family Geometridae. ... Binomial name Amphipyra tragopoginis Clerck, 1759 The Mouse Moth (Amphipyra tragopoginis) is a moth of the family Noctuidae. ... Binomial name Eupithecia absinthiata Clerck, 1759 The Wormwood Pug (Eupithecia absinthiata) is a moth of the family Geometridae. ... Binomial name Euproctis similis Fuessly, 1775 The Yellow-tail (Euproctis similis) is a moth of the family Lymantriidae. ...

The roots of Aconitum ferox supply the Nepalese poison called bikh, bish, or nabee. It contains large quantities of the alkaloid pseudaconitine, which is a deadly poison. Aconitum palmatum yields another of the bikh poisons. The root of Aconitum luridum, of the Himalaya, is said to be as virulent as that of A. ferox or A. napellus. Pseudaconitine (C36H49NO12) is an alkaloid found in high quantities in the roots of Aconitum ferox. ... For other uses, see Poison (disambiguation). ... Perspective view of the Himalaya and Mount Everest as seen from space looking south-south-east from over the Tibetan Plateau. ...

Several species of Aconitum have been used as arrow poisons. The Minaro in Ladakh use A. napellus on their arrows to hunt ibex, while the Ainus in Japan used a species of Aconitum to hunt bear.^[1] The Chinese also used Aconitum poisons both for hunting,^[2] and for warfare.^[3] , Ladakh (Tibetan script: ལ་དྭགས་; Wylie: la-dwags, Ladakhi IPA: , Hindi: लद्दाख़, Hindi IPA: , Urdu: لدّاخ; land of high passes) is a region in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in Northern India sandwiched between the Kuen Lun mountain range in the north and the main Great Himalayas to the south, inhabited by people... Species Capra ibex Capra nubiana Capra pyrenaica Capra sibirica Capra walie An ibex, also called steinbock, is a type of wild mountain goat with large recurved horns that are transversely ridged in front. ... Ainu ) IPA: (also called Ezo in historical texts) are an ethnic group indigenous to Hokkaidō, the Kuril Islands, and much of Sakhalin. ... For other uses, see Bear (disambiguation). ...

Many species of Aconitum are cultivated in gardens, having either blue or yellow flowers. Aconitum lycoctonum (Alpine wolfsbane), is a yellow-flowered species common in the Alps of Switzerland. As garden plants the aconites are very ornamental, hardy perennial plants. They thrive well in any ordinary garden soil, and will grow beneath the shade of trees. They are easily propagated by divisions of the root or by seeds; care should be taken not to leave pieces of the root where livestock might eat them, owing to their poisonous character. Alp redirects here. ... Red Valerian, a perennial plant. ... Sheep are commonly bred as livestock. ...

Aconite has been ascribed with supernatural powers relating to werewolves and other lycanthropes, either to repel them, relating to aconite's use in poisoning wolves and other animals, or in some way induce their lycanthropic condition, as aconite was often an important ingredient in witches' magic ointments. In folklore, Aconite was also said to make a person into a werewolf if it is worn, smelled, or eaten. They are also said to kill werewolves if they wear, smell, or eat aconite. For other uses, see Werewolf (disambiguation). ... In folklore, lycanthropy is the ability or power of a human being to undergo transformation into a wolf. ...

Canadian film actor Andre Noble died of aconitine poisoning on July 30, 2004, after accidentally ingesting it. André Clarence Noble (February 21, 1979-July 30, 2004) was a Canadian television and film actor. ... is the 211th day of the year (212th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Aconite was reportedly found in toxicology samples from the former Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer, but his death was later confirmed of natural causes^[4].

Aconite have also been known under names such as wolfsbane, leopard's bane, women's bane, aconite, Devil's helmet or blue rocket.^[5]

Traditional Uses

Aconite has long been used in the traditional medicine of Asia (India, China and Japan). In Ayurveda the herb is used to increase pitta and to enhance penetration in small doses. However more frequently the herb is detoxified according to the samskaras process and studies, cited in the detoxification section below show that it no longer possesses active toxicity. It is used in traditional Chinese medicine as a treatment for Yang deficiency, "coldness", general debilitation. The herb is considered hot and toxic. It is prepared in extremely small doses. More frequently ginger processed aconite, of lower toxicity, "fu zi" is used. Aconite is one ingredient of Tribhuvankirti, an Ayurvedic preparation for treating a "cold in the head" and fever.^[6] Aconite was mixed with patrinia and coix, in a famous treatment for appendicitis described in a formula from the Jingui Yaolue (ca. 220 A.D.)^[7] Aconite was also described in Greek and Roman medicine by Theophrastus, Dioscorides, and Pliny the Elder, who most likely prescribed the Alpine species Aconitum lycoctonum. The herb was cultivated widely in Europe, probably reaching England before the tenth century, where it was farmed with some difficulty, but came to be widely valued as an anodyne, diuretic, and diaphoretic.^[8] In the nineteenth century much aconite was imported from China, Japan, Fiji, and Tonga, with a number of species used to manufacture alkaloids of varying potency but generally similar effect, most often used externally and rarely internally. Effects of different preparations were standardized by testing on guinea pigs.^[9] Ayurveda (Devanagari: ) or Ayurvedic medicine is an ancient system of health care that is native to the Indian subcontinent. ... Samskara is a process in Ayurvedic medicine of detoxification applied to heavy metals and toxic herbs, which is similar to the Chinese pao zhi. ... Traditional Chinese medicine shop in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. ... Look up yang in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Appendicitis (or epityphlitis) is a condition characterized by inflammation of the appendix. ... Theophrastus (Greek Θεόφραστος, 370 — about 285 BC), a native of Eressos in Lesbos, was the successor of Aristotle in the Peripatetic school. ... Pedanius Dioscorides (ca. ... Pliny the Elder: an imaginative 19th Century portrait. ... An anodyne (Greek αν, loss, and οδυνη, pain: a cause which relieves pain) is a medicine that relieves or soothes pain by lessening the sensitivity of the brain or nervous system. ... This illustration shows where some types of diuretics act, and what they do. ... A diaphoretic is a drug which increases perspiration. ... For other uses, see Guinea pig (disambiguation). ...

In Western medicine preparations of aconite were used until just after the middle of the 20th century, but it is no longer employed as it has been replaced by safer and more effective drugs and treatments. The 1911 British Pharmaceutical Codex regarded the medical uses and toxicity of aconite root or leaves to be virtually identical to that of purified aconitine.^[10] Aconite first stimulates and later paralyses the nerves of pain, touch, and temperature if applied to the skin or to a mucous membrane; the initial tingling therefore gives place to a long-continued anaesthetic action. Great caution was required, as abraded skin could absorb a dangerous dose of the drug, and merely tasting some of the concentrated preparations available could be fatal. The local anaesthesia of peripheral nerves can be attributed to at least eleven alkaloids with varying potency and stability.^[11] Structure of Aconitine Aconitine is a highly poisonous alkaloid derived from the aconite plant. ...

Internal uses were also pursued, to slow the pulse, as a sedative in pericarditis and heart palpitations, and well diluted as a mild diaphoretic, or to reduce feverishness in treatment of colds, pneumonia, quinsy, laryngitis, croup, and asthma due to exposure. Taken internally, aconite acts very notably on the circulation, the respiration, and the nervous system. The pulse is slowed, the number of beats per minute being actually reduced, under considerable doses, to forty, or even thirty, per minute. The blood-pressure synchronously falls, and the heart is arrested in diastole. Immediately before arrest, the heart may beat much faster than normally, though with extreme irregularity, and in the lower animals the auricles may be observed occasionally to miss a beat, as in poisoning by veratrine and colchicum. The action of aconitine on the circulation is due to an initial stimulation of the cardio-inhibitory centre in the medulla oblongata (at the root of the vagus nerves), and later to a directly toxic influence on the nerve-ganglia and muscular fibres of the heart itself. The fall in blood-pressure is not due to any direct influence on the vessels. The respiration becomes slower owing to a paralytic action on the respiratory centre and, in warm-blooded animals, death is due to this action, the respiration being arrested before the action of the heart. Aconite further depresses the activity of all nerve-terminals, the sensory being affected before the motor. In small doses, it therefore tends to relieve pain, if this is present. The activity of the spinal cord is similarly depressed. The pupil is at first contracted, and afterwards dilated. The cerebrum is totally unaffected by aconite, consciousness and the intelligence remaining normal to the last. The antipyretic action which considerable doses of aconite display is not specific but is the result of its influence on the circulation and respiration and of its slight diaphoretic action.^{[citation needed]} A diaphoretic is a drug which increases perspiration. ... Diastole is the period of time when the heart relaxes after contraction. ... Veratrine is an alkaloid drug that increases the sodium permeability of axons. ... Species See text. ... The medulla oblongata is the lower portion of the brainstem. ... The vagus nerve (also called pneumogastric nerve or cranial nerve X) is the tenth of twelve paired cranial nerves, and is the only nerve that starts in the brainstem (within the medulla oblongata) and extends, through the jugular foramen, down below the head, to the abdomen. ... The telencephalon (te-len-seff-a-lon) is the technical name for a large region within the brain which is attributed many functions, which some groups would class as unique features which make humans stand out from other species. ... Antipyretics are drugs that prevent or reduce fever by lowering the body temperature from a raised state. ...

Toxicology

In a few minutes after the introduction of a poisonous dose of aconite, marked symptoms supervene. The initial signs of poisoning are referable to the alimentary canal. There is a sensation of burning, tingling, and numbness in the mouth, and of burning in the abdomen. Death usually supervenes before a numbing effect on the intestine can be observed. After about an hour, there is severe vomiting. Much motor weakness and cutaneous sensations similar to those above described soon follow. The pulse and respiration steadily fail, death occurring from asphyxia. As in strychnine poisoning, the patient is conscious and clear-minded to the last. The only post-mortem signs are those of asphyxia. The treatment is to empty the stomach by tube or by a non-depressant emetic. The physiological antidotes are atropine and digitalis or strophanthin, which should be injected subcutaneously in maximal doses. Alcohol, strychnine, and warmth must also be employed. It must be noted that these "antidotes" are historical ones, as few toxicological centers today would recommend warmth, digitalis, or strychnine for any poisonings. The gastrointestinal or digestive tract, also referred to as the GI tract or the alimentary canal or the gut, is the system of organs within multicellular animals which takes in food, digests it to extract energy and nutrients, and expels the remaining waste. ... In anatomy, the intestine is the segment of the alimentary canal extending from the stomach to the anus and, in humans and other mammals, consists of two segments, the small intestine and the large intestine. ... Strychnine (pronounced (British, U.S.), or (U.S.)) is a very toxic (LD50 = 10 mg approx. ... Suffocation redirects here, for the band, see Suffocation (band). ... Vomiting (or emesis) is the forceful expulsion of the contents of ones stomach through the mouth. ... Atropine is a tropane alkaloid extracted from the deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna) and other plants of the family Solanaceae. ... Species About 20 species, including: Digitalis cariensis Digitalis ciliata Digitalis davisiana Digitalis dubia Digitalis ferruginea Digitalis grandiflora Digitalis laevigata Digitalis lanata Digitalis leucophaea Digitalis lutea Digitalis obscura Digitalis parviflora Digitalis purpurea Digitalis thapsi Digitalis trojana Digitalis viridiflora Digitalis is a genus of about 20 species of herbaceous perennials, shrubs, and... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Strychnine (pronounced (British, U.S.), or (U.S.)) is a very toxic (LD50 = 10 mg approx. ...

The above description of poisoning is characteristic of an oral administration. It should however be noted that aconitine may be easily absorbed through the skin, and poisoning may occur through this route simply by picking the leaves without the use of gloves; the toxin in the sap is absorbed through the skin. From practical experience, the sap oozing from eleven picked leaves will cause cardiac symptoms for a couple of hours. In this event, there will be no gastrointestinal effects. Tingling will however start at the point of absorption, and extend up the arm to the shoulder, after which the heart will start to be affected. The tingling will be followed by numbness—it is fairly unpleasant. As remarked above, atropine is an antidote. Atropine is a constituent of Belladonna. Binomial name L. Deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna), also known as belladonna or dwale, is a well-known perennial herbaceous plant, with leaves and berries that are highly toxic and hallucinogenic. ...

Aconitine is a potent neurotoxin that blocks tetrodotoxin-sensitive sodium channels. Pretreatment with barakol—10 mg/kg IV the compound is isolated from the leaves of Cassia siamea Lam—reduces the incidence of aconitine-induced ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia, as well as mortality. 5 μg/kg IV of tetrodotoxin also had the same effect. The protective effects of barakol are probably due to the prevention of intracellular sodium ion accumulation. Tetrodotoxin (anhydrotetrodotoxin 4-epitetrodotoxin, tetrodonic acid, TTX) is a potent neurotoxin with no known antidote, which blocks action potentials in nerves by binding to the pores of the voltage-gated, fast sodium channels in nerve cell membranes. ... An intravenous drip in a hospital Intravenous therapy or IV therapy is the administration of liquid substances directly into a vein. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

Canadian actor, Andre Noble died in July 2004 from poisoning following the accidental consumption of aconite from Monkshood during a camping trip. André Clarence Noble (February 21, 1979-July 30, 2004) was a Canadian television and film actor. ...

Aconitum can also cure cancer

Aconite was reported by the Sunday Mirror to have been used as poison in the murder of Pakistan cricket coach, Bob Woolmer during the 2007 Cricket World Cup. However there is now evidence that Bob Woolmer was not actually murdered.^[12] Robert Andrew Woolmer (14 May 1948 – 18 March 2007) was an international cricketer, professional cricket coach and also a professional commentator. ... The 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup was a mens cricket tournament that took place in the West Indies from 13 March to 28 April 2007, using the sports One Day International format. ...

Detoxification

There are methods of processing aconite to reduce toxicity in both Chinese medicine and Ayurveda. In Chinese medicine, the traditional pao zhi or preparation of aconite is to steam with ginger in a fairly elaborate procedure. Due to the variable levels of toxicity in any given sample of the dried herb, there are still issues with using it. Most but not all cases of aconite toxicity in Taiwan were due to the consumption of unprocessed aconite.^[13][14] Traditional Chinese medicine shop in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. ... Ayurveda (Devanagari: ) or Ayurvedic medicine is an ancient system of health care that is native to the Indian subcontinent. ... In Chinese medicine the technique of altering the properties of crude drugs by such means as roasting, honey frying, wine frying, earth frying, vinegar frying, calcining, or other means. ... For other uses, see Ginger (disambiguation). ...

According to an article by the Indian scientists Thorat and Dahanukar, "Crude aconite is an extremely lethal substance. However, the science of Ayurveda looks upon aconite as a therapeutic entity. Crude aconite is always processed i.e. it undergoes 'samskaras' before being utilized in the Ayurvedic formulations. This study was undertaken in mice, to ascertain whether 'processed' aconite is less toxic as compared to the crude or unprocessed one. It was seen that crude aconite was significantly toxic to mice (100% mortality at a dose of 2.6 mg/mouse) whereas the fully processed aconite was absolutely non-toxic (no mortality at a dose even 8 times as high as that of crude aconite). Further, all the steps in the processing were essential for complete detoxification" ^[15]

Aconitum in literature and film

Northern Blue Monkshood (Aconitum noveboracense)

Aconitum features in literature in a number of instances: Image File history File links Download high resolution version (600x768, 128 KB) Northern Blue Monkshood (Aconitum noveboracense) Downloaded from : [[1]] Credits : This image is not copyrighted and may be freely used for any purpose. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (600x768, 128 KB) Northern Blue Monkshood (Aconitum noveboracense) Downloaded from : [[1]] Credits : This image is not copyrighted and may be freely used for any purpose. ...

• In Greek mythology, Medea attempted to poison Theseus with a cup of wine poisoned with wolfsbane. However Aegeus his father interceded when he discerned his identity.^[16]

• John Keats, in his Ode on Melancholy, writes:

No, no, go not to Lethe, neither twist Wolf's bane, tight-rooted, for its poisonous wine Nor suffer thy pale forehead to be kissed By nightshade, ruby grape of Proserpine… The bust of Zeus found at Otricoli (Sala Rotonda, Museo Pio-Clementino, Vatican) Greek mythology is the body of stories belonging to the Ancient Greeks concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. ... This article is about the Greek mythological figure. ... Theseus (Greek ) was a legendary king of Athens, son of Aethra, and fathered by Aegeus and Poseidon, with whom Aethra lay in one night (By some accounts, this was presented as a rape). ... Keats redirects here. ...

• Wolfsbane has often been associated with the werewolf legend, although its uses vary from bringing on lycanthropy to banishing it.

• Aconitum plays a major role in the story "The Cardinal Napellus" by Gustav Meyrink. It is identified with religious beliefs and connected to the idea of fate.

• Wolfsbane is mentioned in one of the verses of the Wiccan Rede:

Widdershins go when the Moon doth wane, An’ the Werewolf howls by the dread Wolfsbane. In folklore, lycanthropy is the ability or power of a human being to undergo transformation into a wolf. ... Gustav Meyrink (January 19, 1868 – December 4, 1932) was an Austrian author, storyteller, dramatist, translator, banker and Buddhist, most famous for his novel The Golem. ... The Wiccan Rede is a saying that was formulated to sum up the ethics of the neo-Pagan religion Wicca. ... This page is a candidate to be copied to Wiktionary. ...

• A gypsy poem was written for the Lon Chaney, Jr. series of werewolf movies; it has been quoted in other werewolf movies as well:

Even those who are pure of heart, and say their prayers at night, can become a wolf, when the wolfsbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright. Lon Chaney, Jr. ...

• In the third book of the Brother Cadfael series, Monk's Hood, the herbalist Cadfael uses aconite as an ingredient in a liniment, which is later stolen and used to poison a victim. It is occassionally referenced in other situations as well.

• Wolfsbane in the Harry Potter series is a toxic plant that can be used as an ingredient in the Wolfsbane Potion. Harry is quizzed by Severus Snape on its various names (aconite, monk's hood, and wolf's bane).

• An overdose of aconite was the method in which Rudolph Bloom, father of Leopold Bloom in James Joyce's Ulysses, committed suicide.

Rudolph Bloom died... in consequence of an overdose of monkshood (aconite) selfadministered in the form of a neuralgic liniment... Cadfael (pronounced , approximately CAD-vile) is the fictional detective in a series of murder mysteries by the late Edith Pargeter writing under the name Ellis Peters. ... Cover of the original novel in the series, Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone. ... Leopold Bloom is a fictional character in James Joyces novel Ulysses. ... This article is about the writer and poet. ... Ulysses is a novel by James Joyce, first serialized in parts in the American journal The Little Review from March 1918 to December 1920, and then published in its entirety by Sylvia Beach on February 2, 1922, in Paris. ...

• Aconite poisoning is used as a means of disposal in the Alistair Maclean novel Bear Island.

• In Brian Jacques's Redwall book Outcast of Redwall, Veil the ferret uses wolfsbane to poison one of the residents of Redwall Abbey.

• Aconite is also used as a poison in Midsomer Murders, in the episode "Garden of Death".

• In the 1931 film Dracula, Wolfsbane is used to keep Dracula out of households.

• Wolfsbane plays a big role in the film, Ginger Snaps.

• A controversial herbal remedy for cancer containing aconite was used by the character Kostoglotov in Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's novel Cancer Ward.

Alistair Stuart MacLean (April 28, 1922 - February 2, 1987) was a Scottish novelist who wrote successful thrillers or adventure stories, the best known of which are perhaps The Guns of Navarone and Where Eagles Dare. ... (James) Brian Jacques (born June 15, 1939) is an English author, best known for his Redwall series of novels, as well as the Tribes of Redwall and Castaways of the Flying Dutchman series. ... Redwall was the first book in the series by Brian Jacques. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Redwall Abbey is the fictional refuge of many of the good forest animals in the Redwall series by Brian Jacques. ... Midsomer Murders is a British television drama that has aired on ITV1 since 1997. ... Dracula is a 1931 horror film produced by Universal Pictures Co. ... Ginger Snaps is a 2000 Canadian werewolf film directed by John Fawcett. ... Aleksandr Isayevich Solzhenitsyn (Russian: , IPA:  ; born December 11, 1918) is a Russian novelist, dramatist and historian. ... Cancer Ward is a 1968 novel by Russian author Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. ...

Gallery

Unidentified Aconitum (possibly Aconitum carmichaelii) Image File history File links File links The following pages link to this file: Aconitum ...

Trailing White Monkshood (Aconitum reclinatum) Image File history File links Download high resolution version (600x792, 134 KB) Trailing White Monkshood (Aconitum reclinatum) Downloaded from : [[1]] Credits : This image is not copyrighted and may be freely used for any purpose. ...

Southern Blue Monkshood (Aconitum uncinatum) Image File history File links Download high resolution version (600x900, 107 KB) Southern Blue Monkshood (Aconitum uncinatum) Downloaded from : [[1]] Credits : This image is not copyrighted and may be freely used for any purpose. ...

Notes

A digital object identifier (or DOI) is a standard for persistently identifying a piece of intellectual property on a digital network and associating it with related data, the metadata, in a structured extensible way. ... Robert von Ranke Graves (24 July 1895 – 7 December 1985) was an English poet, scholar, and novelist. ...

References and external links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Aconitum

Wikispecies has information related to:

Aconitum

• This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.
• James Grout: Aconite Poisoning, part of the Encyclopædia Romana
• Photographs of Aconite plants